Abstrakt

Plants are continuously exposed to various environmental stresses and
they respond to them in different ways. Ambient temperature is among the
most important environmental cues that directly influence plant growth
and yield. Research in recent years has revealed that epigenetic
mechanisms play a key role in plants' response to temperature stress.
Changes in gene expression evoked by stress signals follow
post-translational histone modifications, DNA methylation, histone
variant incorporation, and the action of chromatin remodeling factors
and Polycomb group proteins. The majority of epigenetic modifications
induced by temperature stress are reversible in nature; thus, chromatin
returns to its previous state after the stress has passed. Some
modifications seem stable, however, due presumably to so-called stress
memory. Epigenetic modifications can be inherited through mitosis and
meiosis. By dint of epigenetic memory, plants can more efficiently
respond to future stressful conditions, thereby increasing their
potential for environmental adaptation. Recognition of the epigenetic
mechanisms that take part in plants' response to changes of ambient
temperature will increase our understanding of adaptations to stress
conditions.

Abstrakt

Application of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or
1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxilic acid (ACC) to maize roots growing in
hydroponic solution inhibited root elongation, and increased radial
growth, but the responses to those treatments differed in degree. Auxin
was more effective than ACC as an elongation inhibitor and root swelling
promoter. Whereas NAA fully inhibited elongation and maintained swelling
over 48 h, ACC inhibited elongation partially (50%) and only promoted
swelling for 24 h. It is well-known that auxin, like ACC, promotes
ethylene production, but similar levels of ethylene production reached
by means of NAA or ACC treatments did not elicit the same response, the
response being always stronger to NAA than to ACC. These results suggest
that the effect of auxin on root growth is not mediated by ethylene.
Elongation and swelling of roots appear to be inversely related: usually
a reduction in elongation was accompanied by corresponding swelling.
However, these two processes showed different sensitivities to growth
regulators. After 24 h treatment with 0.5 μM NAA or 5 μM ACC, root
elongation was inhibited by 90% and 53% respectively, but the same
treatments promoted swelling by 187% and 140% respectively. Furthermore,
1 μM ACC was shown to promote inhibition of root elongation without
affecting swelling. The ethylene antagonist STS (silver thiosulfate) did
not affect elongation in control or NAAtreated roots, but increased
ethylene production and swelling. These results indicate that
longitudinal and radial expansion could be independently controlled.

Abstrakt

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are the most widespread root fungal
symbionts, forming associations with the vast majority of plant species.
Ectomycorrhizal development alters gene expression in plant symbionts.
In this work we examined the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
spores on the growth and development of Brassica and on the expression
of BnMT2 in winter rape. In a pot experiment, rape seedlings growing on
different types of sterile and nonsterile soils were inoculated
simultaneously with mycorrhizal fungi spores of Acaulospora
longula,Glomus geosporum, Glomus mosseae and Scutellospora calospora. As
compared with control plants growing in the absence of spores,
ten-week-old seedlings of Brassica napus L. in sterile soil inoculated
with arbuscular spores had longer shoots and higher fresh biomass of
above-ground plant parts. In other types of substrates enriched with
mycorrhizal fungi spores, the plants were smaller than non-inoculated
plants. The presence of AMF spores stimulated the elongation growth of
hypocotyls in both analyzed substrates. BnMT2 expression was highest in
plants growing on the sterile substrate. Generally, the presence of
mycorrhizal fungi spores appeared to have an adverse effect on the
growth of rape plants.

Abstrakt

The paper describes anatomical and physiological features of photobionts
and mycobionts in Bryoria forsteri Olech & Bystrek, Caloplaca regalis
(Vain.) Zahlbr., Cetraria aculeata (Schreb.) Fr., Ramalina terebrata
Hook f. & Taylor, Sphaerophorus globosus (Huds.) Vain. and Usnea
antarctica Du Rietz, collected in the Antarctic under varied weather
conditions. Green algae from the genera Lobosphaera and Trebouxia were
gathered in depressions of the cortex under the more resistant mycobiont
hyphae. In photobiont cells a large amount of highly osmiophilic
electron-dense PAS-negative material, lipid-like in character, was of
particular interest. Similar material also filled certain areas of the
aerial apoplast. A star-shaped chromatophore with central and lateral
pyrenoids encompassed most of the photobiont protoplast in all the
studied species. Regularly arranged thylakoids with evenly widened
lumina along their entire length and osmiophilic lipid droplets adhering
to their outer surfaces were visible within the pyrenoid. Inside the
chloroplast, large protein inclusions tightly joined with the thylakoids
were observed. The mycobionts were closely attached to each other
another and with the photobionts by means of an outer osmiophilic wall
layer, and formed intramural haustoria. Their protoplasts were filled
with PAS-positive polysaccharides and a large amount of lipid-like
substances. The photobionts were physiologically active and produced a
large amount of electron-dense osmiophilic material, and PAS-positive
starch grains were visible around their pyrenoids in the thalli
collected in different weather conditions. The permanent reserves of
nutritive materials deposited in the thalli enable these organisms to
quickly begin and continue indispensable physiological processes in the
extreme Antarctic conditions.

Abstrakt

Three problems in the taxonomy of Pancratium in Egypt are the lack of
publications, a lack of clarity about the relationships between recently
distinguished species, and the lack of markers for examining the levels
and patterns of variation in rare and endemic species; the latter
hinders work in plant conservation genetics. In this study we reassessed
the taxonomic status of the Pancratium species of Egypt, and examined
morphological and genetic variation within and between species, using
specimens from different populations collected throughout its
distribution range in the country. Our assessment was based on 38
macromorphological characters mainly representing vegetative parts,
flowers, fruits and seeds, in addition to RAPD data. The results
revealed five morphologically distinguished Pancratium species in Egypt,
of which P. trianthum Herb. is newly recorded. Species identification
was confirmed by two phenetic dendrograms generated with 26 quantitative
morphological characters and RAPD data, while species delimitation was
verified by principal component analysis. The diagnostic floral
characters are those of the perianth, corona teeth, pistil, stamens,
aerial scape, spathe, and number of flowers. The retrieved RAPD
polymorphic bands show better resolution of the morphologically and
ecologically closely allied Pancratium species (P. arabicum and P.
maritimum), and also confirm the morphological and ecological divergence
of P. tortuosum from the other studied species. These results are
supported by the constructed UPGMA dendrogram.

Abstrakt

The stigma of Ornithogalum sigmoideum is of dry and papillate type. The
papillae are covered by a cuticle-pellicle layer, as revealed by
staining. The activity of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and
peroxidase increases in the pellicle during the receptivity period. The
style of O. sigmoideum is of the hollow type. Ultrastructural study of
the cells lining the canal indicated that they are secretory cells and
contain abundant endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes, mitochondria,
plastids and ribosomes. After anthesis these organelles show
degeneration at the end of the secretory phase. In canal cells,
cytochemical tests showed the presence of acidic polyanions, insoluble
and acidic polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. Before anthesis the
canal cells are rich in polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. At
maturity the cuticle is ruptured and secretory materials from the canal
cells are released into the canal. In the unpollinated style of O.
sigmoideum the exudates accumulated in the center of the canal; in
pollinated pistils the same secretion materials were dispersed through
the canal, which became wider.

Abstrakt

Our cytomorphological study of various populations of Elsholtzia ciliata
(Lamiaceae) collected from high-altitude sites of Kashmir Himalaya
revealed two euploid cytomorphotypes, diploid (n=8) and tetraploid
(n=16), growing sympatrically but inhabiting two different habitats.
This is the first report of tetraploid (4×) E. ciliata from the Indian
subcontinent. We found the course of meiois to be normal in diploids,
but tetraploid individuals showed chromosome and meiotic irregularities:
cytomixis at early prophase I, stickiness at metaphase I, and chromosome
bridges at anaphase I. In tetraploids, 23 of the 26 pollen mother cells
observed at metaphase I showed 0-6 quadrivalents, suggesting that the
tetraploid is a segmental allopolyploid. Microsporogenesis was also
abnormal in tetraploids, showing the formation of triads. All these
anomalies are conducive to lower reproductive potential (40.70%) in
tetraploids than in diploids (90.50%). Significant morphological
differences between the two cytotypes are presented.

Abstrakt

Hladnikia pastinacifolia RCHB., a narrow endemic, has an extremely
restricted distribution in Trnovski gozd (Slovenia), despite the
presence of many sites with suitable habitats. We compared the
morphological traits of plants from different populations and habitats.
The overall pattern showed that the smallest plants, with low fruit
number, are found on Èaven (locus classicus or type locality); the
largest individuals, with high fruit number, grow in the Golobnica
gorge. As judged by plant size and seed set, the optimal habitats are
screes. We used RAPD markers to estimate genetic variation between and
within populations, as well as between and within the northern and the
southern parts of the distribution area. Hladnikia showed only a low
level of RAPD variability. AMOVA partitioned the majority of genetic
diversity within selected populations. The low genetic differentiation
between populations and their genetic depauperation indicates survival
in situ, since the Trnovski gozd plateau most likely was a nunatak
region in the southern Prealps during Pleistocene glaciations. Later
range expansion of extant populations was limited by poor seed
dispersal. We also analyzed the cpDNA trnL-F intergenic spacer to check
whether the sequence is useful for studying the phylogenetic
relationships of Hladnikia within the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae).
Our results support the assertion that H. pastinacifolia is an old taxon.

Abstrakt

Plant viruses create many changes in the morphology of the plant cell
once the infection process has begun. This paper describes and compares
the ultrastructural changes induced in maize cells by two isolates of
Maize dwarfmosaic virus (MDMV), Spanish (MDMV-Sp) and Polish (MDMV-P),
and one isolate of Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) at 10 and 42 days
post-inoculation: the concentration and arrangement of virus particles,
inclusion bodies associated with infection, and other cytological
alterations. The most important difference between maize cells infected
with MDMV isolates and with SCMV-P1 was in the form of cytoplasmic
cylindrical inclusions. In cells infected with MDMV only typical
inclusions such as pinwheels and scrolls were observed, but laminar
aggregates were also present in SCMV-infected cells. No virus particles
were found in plant cell organelles. Specific virion arrangements
occurred in cells infected with MDMV-Sp and SCMV. The most interesting
new finding was of specific amorphous inclusions in the cytoplasm of
MDMV-Sp-infected cells, which clearly differentiated the two MDMV
isolates studied.

Abstrakt

Miscanthus ×giganteus Greef et Deu. (Poaceae), a hybrid of Miscanthus
sinensis and M. sacchariflorus native to Japan, is an ornamental and a
highly lignocellulosic bioenergy crop, cultivated in the European Union
as an alternative source of energy. This grass reproduces exclusively
vegetatively, by rhizomes or via expensive in vitro micropropagation.
The present study was aimed at finding the barriers that prevent sexual
seed production, based on detailed embryological analyses of the whole
generative cycle, including microsporogenesis, pollen viability,
megasporogenesis, female gametophyte development, and embryo and
endosperm formation. Sterility of M. ×giganteus results from abnormal
development of both male and female gametophytes. Disturbed
microsporogenesis (laggard chromosomes, univalents, micronuclei) was
further highlighted by low pollen staining. The frequency of stainable
pollen ranged from 13.9% to 55.3% depending on the pollen staining test,
and no pollen germination was observed either in vitro or in planta. The
wide range of pollen sizes (25.5-47.6 μm) clearly indicated unbalanced
pollen grain cytology, which evidently affected pollen germination. Only
9.7% of the ovules developed normally. No zygotes nor embryos were found
in any analyzed ovules. Sexual reproduction of M. ×giganteus is severely
hampered by its allotriploid (2n=3x=57) nature. Hybrid sterility, a
strong postzygotic barrier, prevents sexual reproduction and, therefore,
seed formation in this taxon.

Abstrakt

Annual and interannual phenomena and canopy behavior of prickly comfrey
(Symphytum asperum Lep.) were studied in a 10-year experiment with 25
measurement sessions during the growing season. The results confirm the
importance of long-term experiments in studying plant phenomena,
biometrics and behavior. Prickly comfrey produced a green canopy each
year and growth started very early in spring. Maximum plant height was
less than 160 cm. Annual phenomena (growth initiation, seedling phase,
flower phase, seed phase, senescent phase), interannual phenomena
(initiation and youth, reproduction, new generation formation, plant
death) and two population cycles (colonization and expansion) were
measured. The duration of annual development up to canopy death can be
expressed as x+2x+3x+2x, where x is initial growth. The genetic
structure and activity of prickly comfrey promotes generative
development of the species. Its age can be measured over a single and
several vegetation generations. The ability to change the angle of
vertical stem growth after 9 weeks can be considered a functional
behavior of prickly comfrey and part of its life strategy. The
differences between the organs in the upper and lower parts are very
considerable and should be taken into account in morphological
descriptions of this species. The upper and lower stems and leaves
showed differential growth. Both stem and leaves were densely setose.
Old leaves were 3.8 times longer, 4 times broader and 2.4 times thicker
than young leaves. Hairs were on average 3 times longer on old than on
young leaves. Flowers had contact with pollinators making relatively
long visits to them.

Abstrakt

Allium cepa var. agrogarum L. seedlings grown in nutrient solution were
subjected to increasing concentrations of Cd2+ (0, 1, 10, 100 μM).
Variation in tolerance to cadmium toxicity was studied based on
chromosome aberrations, nucleoli structure and reconstruction of root
tip cells, Cd accumulation and mineral metabolism, lipid peroxidation,
and changes in the antioxidative defense system (SOD, CAT, POD) in
leaves and roots of the seedlings. Cd induced chromosome aberrations
including C-mitoses, chromosome bridges, chromosome fragments and
chromosome stickiness. Cd induced the production of some particles of
argyrophilic proteins scattered in the nuclei and even extruded from the
nucleoli into the cytoplasm after a high Cd concentration or prolonged
Cd stress, and nucleolar reconstruction was inhibited. In Cd2+-treated
Allium cepa var. agrogarum plants the metal was largely restricted to
the roots; very little of it was transported to aerial parts. Adding
Cd2+ to the nutrient solution affected mineral metabolism. For example,
at 100 μM Cd it reduced the levels of Mn, Cu and Zn in roots, bulbs and
leaves. Malondialdehyde content in roots and leaves increased with
treatment time and increased concentration of Cd. Antioxidant enzymes
appear to play a key role in resistance to Cd under stress conditions.

Abstrakt

We explored the use of the medicinally important plant Centella asiatica
for expression of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of Newcastle
disease virus (NDV) strain AF2240. HN protein is the principal target
for subunit vaccine development against NDV. The full-length HN gene was
cloned into a plant expression construct driven by the CaMV 35S promoter
and C-terminal fusion of green fluorescence protein (GFP) as reporter
system. The recombinant expression construct was transformed via
particle bombardment into C. asiatica callus. Transformants were
screened using GFP and selected on MS medium supplemented with 15 mg/l
hygromycin. The ~1.8 kb HN mRNA transcript was detected on the putative
transformants using RT-PCR. The presence of HN protein expression was
further confirmed through dot blot analysis using anti-NDV chicken
serum. Here we report, for the first time, the use of a novel medicinal
plant as a new platform for HN protein expression.

Instrukcje dla autorów

ACTA BIOLOGICA CRACOVIENSIA Series Botanica is an English-language journal founded in 1958, devoted to plant anatomy and morphology, cytology, genetics, embryology, tissue culture, physiology, biochemistry, biosystematics, molecular phylogenetics and phylogeography, as well as phytochemistry. It is published twice a year.

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Authors whose native language is not English are strongly advised to have their manuscripts checked by a professional translator or a native speaker prior to submission. Manuscripts should be written concisely. Purely descriptive studies, karyological notes on plants outside of central Europe, papers on economic botany as well as manuscripts of restricted interest generally are not considered for publication. In vitro studies which only describe protocols for plant regeneration without providing relevant biological information will not be considered for publication. A manuscript in the field of plant cell culture, physiology, biochemistry and phytochemistry must contain new insights that lead to a better understanding of some aspect of fundamental plant biology. They should be of interest to a wide audience and/or the methods employed should contribute to the advancement of established techniques and approaches. Authors are charged a fee for publication of their articles. 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